Russellville aldermen will discuss next week whether to bid the city's solid waste contract or to attempt to re-negotiate the existing contract with Waste Management.

Although the Solid Waste Committee determined its recommendation was to bid the contract, aldermen decided during the city council's March agenda preparation meeting on Tuesday the council as a whole should vote on the matter.

The council will also be presented with a new contract as modified per the recommendations of the Solid Waste Committee and be asked to give its approval to that document. If the document is approved and aldermen agree to bid it, that process can begin.

Alderman Seth Irwin said if there is a local company with the capabilities of handling Russellville's solid waste needs, he would prefer to see the money spent on trash collection to be spent locally.

"I'm not too hip on the money going to New Jersey, or wherever it's going," he said.

The city's current contract with Waste Management, which went into effect in 2009, will expire in September.

The Downtown Master Plan Steering Committee is in the process of applying for a Community Development Block Grant of up to $200,000 for the renovation of Depot Park in downtown Russellville to create an entertainment venue.

As part of the grant process, the council will be asked to approve a resolution supporting the grant application as well as resolutions establishing an anti-displacement plan and a policy against the use of excessive force by law enforcement agencies. Arkansas Valley Alliance for Economic Development President Jeff Pipkin said the resolutions are part of the standard process for block grants.

Alderman Martin Irwin said there would likely be a merging of two agenda items, one an ordinance that would require council approval of all city projects with a cost of $10,000 or more and the other a proposed amendment to the City Council Procedures to include the creation of a Capital Improvements Committee.

Aldermen will also be asked to amend the ordinance regulating an urban deer hunt within city limits. The amendment, if approved, would decrease the amount of acreage required from 40 to 20 for urban hunters.

Other items to be considered by the council on Thursday:

• Appointment of Tyler Riley to the Advertising and Promotion Commission.

• Appointment of Wesley White to the Board of Adjustment.

• An ordinance amending the zoning code to provide for the regulation of RV parks.

• A resolution to issue a special use permit to allow a mechanic shop at 1209 E. 14th St.

• A resolution to issue a special use permit to allow a used car lot at 902 E. Fourth St.

• A resolution requiring the removal or razing of a dilapidated structure at 416 S. Ithaca Ave.

• A resolution to set a public hearing for a request to vacate a portion of West Second Street.